Coraopolis, Pa. – The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS/AWS) recently hired Joel D. Thorstad as regional director to enhance chapter engagement and fundraising efforts in Minnesota, Louisiana and Washington. The RGS/AWS regional directors work with local chapter volunteers to create and host chapter events including fundraising, sportsman’s banquets, shoots, educational activities, habitat days and recruitment/youth events.

“All the things on Joel’s plate are key, absolutely key, to our mission. The chapter volunteers, members, local donors, future hunters, they’re all so important. Having spent time with Joel last week, he has the passion. I’m certain he’ll do a great job coordinating this part of the team,” said RGS/AWS President and CEO Ben Jones.

Prior to this position, Joel was a territory account manager for Northern Wholesale Supply, Inc. since 2012 managing accounts with small and large independent national retailers and manufacturers of outdoor products in Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. He has been a longtime RGS/AWS member and volunteer and has over 17 years in the outdoor industry.

“It is with great honor that I will enhance the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society habitat and hunting efforts across my region,” Joel said. “I look forward to engaging the next generation of outdoorsmen and women, to educate them on grouse and grouse hunting and to get them active with their local RGS or AWS chapter.”

Joel currently resides in Forest Lake, Minnesota and is a lifelong grouse and woodcock hunter, coverdog field trialer and conservationist, having been raised in a family of hunters with learned lessons passed to him from his dad and grandfathers.

For more information about his new position, contact Joel D. Thorstad: JoelT@RuffedGrouseSociety.Org and 218-349-0400.

Established in 1961, the Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society is North America’s foremost conservation organization dedicated to preserving our sporting traditions by creating healthy forest habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other wildlife. RGS/AWS works with landowners and government agencies to develop critical habitat utilizing scientific management practices.

Information on RGS/AWS, its mission, management projects and membership can be found on the web at: www.RuffedGrouseSociety.org.

Media Contact:

Matt Soberg

(218) 232-6227

Editor@RuffedGrouseSociety.org